Witches of the Deep (The Memento Mori Witch Trilogy Book 3) by C.N. Crawford Read Free Book Online Page A

sleep again—this time about touching a mermaid. She groaned. I really don’t want to know.
    She sat up, blinking. It was night again, and she’d spent all day in the barn. With the dogs. And when night fell, she had more patrolling to look forward to. At least she got to talk to Tobias.
    His eyes opened, and he rubbed them. “You were shivering in your sleep. I just took a little nap to keep your warm. And, you know, because I wanted to sleep.”
    “Thanks.”
    He yawned, sitting up. “I think it’s nearly eight. Almost time for dinner.”
    “How’s Mariana?” Fiona had visited her friend in the morning, but she’d been asleep.
    “She hasn’t left the house yet,” Tobias said. “But she’s talking again.”
    How had their lives become this screwed up? She sat up, her muscles groaning. Last night, she’d spent nearly eight hours circling in the winds over Gloucester and Rockport. No sign of sea demons. It wasn’t the most eventful night, but her muscles were protesting all the same.
    Tobias rose. “How did the patrol go?”
    She rolled her head around to loosen her muscles. “At first I was scared, but nothing happened. I was almost disappointed by the end of it.” Need for stimulation. Check. Standing, she raised her arms over her head in a long stretch. She really needed to get out of this gown she’d been wearing since yesterday. She literally smelled like a barn animal. “I’m just going to change.”
    He smiled. “I’ll wait outside.”
    She didn’t stop him this time, and when he stepped over the threshold, she pulled off the green dress and underwear, jamming them in a corner. She’d stored the clean clothes in a wooden alcove close to the door, where the air was freshest. Smiling, she pulled out a pale-blue dress the color of a chicory flower and slipped into it before stepping out the door.
    Outside, Tobias stared at the moon, his back rigid. She could almost feel the strength radiating from him. She linked her arm in his, reveling in his warmth. He smelled of maple leaves and woodsmoke.
    He glanced at her. “If Estelle doesn’t let you stay, we’ll all leave. But even if she does let you stay, she’s going to make your life hell. She’ll expect deference, no matter how much gold we give her. You can’t challenge her.”
    “I don’t plan to. In fact I don’t plan on doing anything except trying to get at least five hours of sleep at a time. Right now I’d count that as a victory.” She tightened her grip on his arm. “Have you learned anything about your mark yet? What it means?”
    He paused for only a heartbeat, muscles stiffening. “It means that when I die, my soul will burn in the inferno. The gods collect souls, apparently.”
    Cold dread coiled around her. “You’ll be in hell?”
    “That’s what I hear.”
    She felt nauseous. “How can a soul burn? I thought they were immaterial.”
    “I don’t know, but I’m not looking forward to finding out.”
    Her stomach turned a flip. “But there must be a way out. Maybe you can ask Emerazel if there are exceptions…” She trailed off. It sounded stupid even to her.
    “Estelle knows more about it. She just wants something in exchange for it.”
    “Your body?” Fiona blurted.
    He eyed her sideways. “She hasn’t said it outright—yet.”
    She didn’t trust Estelle, but they didn’t have a ton of options. “Do whatever she wants. I’m not letting you burn forever.” As if she had any control over the situation.
    They walked the rest of the way in silence, listening only to the howling wind and wolves. As they drew closer, the newsreader’s sonorous voice on the radio added a calming buzz to the night air: “ … Celtics against the Lakers in a close game…”
    Inhaling deeply, she surveyed the spread. Among the flickering lanterns, the tables were laid with lobster and clam chowder. Her mouth watered. With her nocturnal schedule, she was missing most meals.
    Just as she and Tobias approached their seats,